Wondering how to experience the Leshan Giant Buddha at its best? Should you climb the cliffside pathway or admire it from the water? For travelers who want a full panoramic view without the physical effort, a river cruise is the ideal choice. Standing 71 meters tall and carved during the Tang Dynasty, this UNESCO World Heritage Site overlooks the confluence of the Minjiang, Qingyi, and Dadu Rivers. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Leshan Giant Buddha cruise, including transportation, boarding piers, ticket prices, schedules, photography tips, and practical travel advice.
Transportation to Leshan Giant Buddha
There is no airport in Leshan, but it is convenient to travel to Leshan from other regions. Visitors usually fly to a big city first, then transfer to high-speed rail or bus.
- Departing from abroad: Leshan is about 150 kilometers away from Chengdu. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Tianfu International Airport have direct flights from many countries and regions. After arriving at the airport, visitors can take high-speed rail directly to Leshan Station. The journey from Shuangliu Airport to Leshan takes about 1 hour, and from Tianfu Airport to Leshan about 1.5 hours. The second-class seat fare is about 50 to 70 CNY.
- Departing from Hong Kong: Visitors can take a cross-border high-speed rail from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station to Chengdu East Station, which takes about 7 to 8 hours, then transfer to a bullet train from Chengdu to Leshan, and arrive in about 40 minutes.
- Taking high-speed rail: High-speed rail is the most convenient way to get to Leshan. Leshan Station is about half an hour’s drive from the urban area. The fastest journey from Chengdu East Station takes only about 40 minutes, and the second-class seat fare is about 50 to 70 CNY. There are buses and taxis from Leshan Station directly to the scenic area. It takes about 20 minutes by taxi to Jiazhou Ferry Pier, with a fare of about 25 to 30 CNY.
- Taking a bus: Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station has direct buses to Leshan, the journey takes about 2 hours, the fare is about 60 to 100 CNY, suitable for visitors on a budget.
How to Choose the Pier for Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise
There are two main piers for Leshan Giant Buddha cruises: Jiazhou Ferry Pier and Wuyou Temple Pier.
- Jiazhou Ferry Pier: The first choice for daytime cruises. Boarding here during the high water level period (April to October), the disembarkation point is Baxian Ferry Pier, about 800 meters away from the two piers.
- Wuyou Temple Pier: Used when Jiazhou Ferry Pier is suspended during the low water level period, boarding and disembarking at the same pier.
Important Reminder: Baxiandong Ferry Pier is a cross-river pier, only for crossing to the opposite bank, and cannot view the Giant Buddha. Visitors must not go to the wrong pier. In addition, the cruise pier and operating hours are subject to change at any time according to the water level. Be sure to call the scenic area consultation number 0833-2355557 one day before departure or on the morning of the departure day to confirm the boarding pier of the day.
Jiazhou Ferry Pier is located next to the Visitor Center of Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area. When taking a taxi, tell the driver “Jiazhou Ferry Pier”. For buses, you can take Route K1, 3, 13, 302, etc., get off at “Jiazhou Ferry Pier”stop or “Giant Buddha Temple”stop, and walk for a few minutes to arrive.
Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise Wuyou Temple Pier
Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise Fare Instructions
The fares of Leshan Giant Buddha cruises are as follows:
- Daytime cruise ticket: 70 CNY per person, uniform price all year round.
- Child policy: Children under 1.2 meters tall are free of charge, but need to collect free tickets at the on-site ticket window.
- Night Tour of Three Rivers ticket: 228 CNY per person in high water season, 138 CNY per person in low water season, half price for children under 1.2 meters.
Ticket purchase methods: Online tickets can be purchased through the WeChat or Alipay mini-program “Giant Buddha Tourism”, or by searching for “Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area”on Douyin. ID card information is required for online ticket purchase, and you can board the ship by swiping your ID card. Offline tickets can be purchased at the North Visitor Center or South Visitor Center ticket halls. If you forget to bring your ID card, you can exchange for a paper ticket at the ticket window of the Visitor Center after purchasing online. Daytime cruise tickets have implemented a time-sharing reservation system, and you need to select the corresponding time slot when purchasing tickets.
Cruise tickets and scenic area climbing tickets are independent of each other: cruise tickets are only for viewing the Giant Buddha by boat and cannot enter the scenic area plank road. The scenic area climbing ticket is 80 CNY per person. If you want to experience both ways, you need to purchase tickets separately.
Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise Departure Time and Total Duration
Leshan Giant Buddha cruises do not have a fixed schedule, and adopt a rolling departure mode, that is, the ship departs when the number of passengers reaches a certain scale.
- Summer (April 1 to October 7): Operating hours 07:30 to 18:00.
- Winter (October 8 to March 31 of the next year): Operating hours 08:00 to 17:00.
- Total duration: about 30 to 40 minutes. The ship stops for about 5 to 10 minutes right in front of Leshan Giant Buddha, which is the only chance to take full-body photos of the Giant Buddha.
Cruises may be suspended in case of strong wind, heavy fog, heavy rain, or excessively low water level in the dry season. It is recommended to call 0833-2355557 one day before departure or on the morning of the departure day to confirm whether the cruise departs normally.
Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise Photography Skills
Taking photos is one of the main activities when taking a Leshan Giant Buddha cruise. The ship only stops in front of the Buddha for a few minutes, the following skills are for reference.
- Seat selection: Prefer seats by the right window for the Jiazhou Ferry route. The left window can only see the Giant Buddha briefly on the outbound trip, and the ship only stops near the Giant Buddha for a long time when turning back on the return trip, when the right window is the best position. If you fail to get a right-side seat, you can go to the second-floor platform to stand and watch, with a wider view.
- Time selection: 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. is the golden hour for photography with soft light. The evening also has good effects, but it gets dark early in winter and cruises may end early.
- Shooting methods: Use the wide-angle mode of mobile phones to take full-body photos of the Giant Buddha, and the photographer can lower the position to shoot upward. When taking photos of people with the Giant Buddha in the same frame, ask a companion to squat and shoot from a low angle. The river wind is strong, so hold the mobile phone firmly.
Note: Staff on the ship sometimes take the initiative to take photos for visitors, claiming “free of charge”, but in fact only a very small size photo is given for free, and large size photos cost 30 CNY. In addition, aerial photography is prohibited in the scenic area without permission, so taking a cruise is the only legal way to take a full view of the Giant Buddha.
Precautions for Taking Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise
Dressing Suggestions
The river wind is stronger than that in the urban area, and the temperature is 2 to 3 degrees Celsius lower. It is recommended to bring a thin coat in spring and autumn, wear a down jacket in winter, and prepare a sun protection shirt in summer. Wear comfortable flat shoes and avoid high heels. Wear a hat and sunglasses to cope with river reflection.
Personal Items
ID card (required for ticket purchase and boarding), a small amount of cash (mobile payment may not be available at some remote stalls), drinking water and snacks (food is generally not sold on the ship), power bank, motion sickness medicine (the ship may shake when the wind and waves are strong).
Off-Peak Hours
There are fewer visitors on weekdays than on weekends. The first boat in the morning (7:30 to 8:00) has the fewest people. Try to avoid long holidays such as Labor Day and National Day, when the queuing time may exceed one hour and cruise tickets may be sold out in advance.
Suspension Situations
Cruises are suspended due to strong wind, heavy fog, heavy rain, or excessively low water level in the dry season. Check the weather forecast before departure, or call 0833-2355557 on the day to confirm.
Leshan Giant Buddha River View
Recommended Nearby Tours After Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise
The cruise usually takes half a day, and you can continue to visit the urban area of Leshan for the rest of the time.
- Leshan Museum: Located at the entrance of the Giant Buddha Scenic Area, open free of charge, displaying more than 200 precious cultural relics to help you learn about the history of the Giant Buddha.
- Zhanggongqiao Food Street: Leshan is a major food city in Sichuan, famous for Qiaojiao Beef, Crispy Skin Duck, Bobo Chicken, Tofu Pudding and other delicacies. The whole street is full of restaurants with high cost performance.
- Jiadingfang: An ancient commercial street with many characteristic shops and teahouses.
- Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (Climbing): If physical strength permits, you can purchase a separate ticket to enter the scenic area and walk along the plank road, looking up at the Giant Buddha from the foot for a completely different experience. Climbing ticket 80 CNY per person.
- Oriental Buddha Capital: Located next to the Giant Buddha Scenic Area, a modern group of carved Buddha statues.
Is the Leshan Giant Buddha Cruise Worth It?
Taking a cruise to view the Leshan Giant Buddha offers one of the most spectacular perspectives of this world-renowned monument. From the river, visitors can capture the entire statue in a single frame while enjoying breathtaking views of the three rivers converging beneath it. It is an effortless and rewarding experience, especially for those with limited time or a preference for scenic sightseeing.
For a seamless and enriching journey, consider traveling with China Dragon Travel. With expertly curated itineraries across Chengdu, Leshan, and Mount Emei, the agency provides professional guides, convenient transportation, and personalized services to ensure an unforgettable cultural adventure in Southwest China.
